Thamron Keowmani, Siew Chin Teo, Kuan Chau Yap, Wei Lian Chua, Nur Farahanim Mohd Tahir, Peck Wei Chua, V Co Lim, Hoon Hing Leong
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Adherence to iron chelation therapy (ICT) remains an issue among thalassemia patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of non-adherence to ICT among children with beta thalassemia major in Malaysia and the factors associated with it.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between November 2019 and November 2021 at seven tertiary hospitals in Malaysia. Participants registered with Malaysian Thalassemia Registry were recruited by convenience sampling. Adherence was measured via pill count and self-reported adherence. Knowledge about thalassemia and ICT was measured using a questionnaire from Modul Thalassemia by Ministry of Health of Malaysia. A decision tree was used to identify predictors of non-adherence.
Results: A total of 135 patients were recruited. The prevalence of non-adherence to ICT in those who took subcutaneous ± oral medications was 47.5% (95% CI: 31.5%, 63.9%) and the prevalence of non-adherence to ICT in those who took oral medications only was 21.1% (95% CI: 13.4%, 30.6%). The median knowledge score was 67.5% (IQR 15%). A decision tree has identified two factors associated with non-adherence. They were ICT's route of administration and knowledge score. Out of 100 patients who were on oral medications only, 79 were expected to adhere. Out of 100 patients who were on subcutaneous ± oral medications and scored less than 56.25% in knowledge questionnaire, 86 were expected to non-adhere. Based on the logistic regression, the odds of non-adherence in patients who took oral medications only was 71% lower than the odds of non-adherence in patients who took subcutaneous ± oral medications (OR = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.13, 0.65; p = .002).
Conclusion: The prevalence of non-adherence to ICT among children with beta thalassemia major in Malaysia was 20/95 (21.1%) in those who took oral medications only and the prevalence of non-adherence was 19/40 (47.5%) in those who took subcutaneous ± oral medications. The factors associated with non-adherence were ICT's route of administration and knowledge score.
期刊介绍:
Hemoglobin is a journal in the English language for the communication of research and information concerning hemoglobin in humans and other species. Hemoglobin publishes articles, reviews, points of view
The journal covers topics such as:
structure, function, genetics and evolution of hemoglobins
biochemical and biophysical properties of hemoglobin molecules
characterization of hemoglobin disorders (variants and thalassemias),
consequences and treatment of hemoglobin disorders
epidemiology and prevention of hemoglobin disorders (neo-natal and adult screening)
modulating factors
methodology used for diagnosis of hemoglobin disorders